Dementia Care in Portland: Tips from the Pros

If you provide dementia care to a loved one in the Portland, OR area, you know firsthand how challenging providing this type of care can sometimes be. Dementia can lead to troubles communicating, memory loss, wandering, incontinence, paranoia, and agitation. These symptoms of the disease can be embarrassing and frustrating for seniors and challenging for caregivers to handle.

Providing dementia care to your Portland-area loved one takes patience, flexibility, and dedication. Sometimes, you need the help of a professional caregiver like the ones from Visiting Angels^® Portland. Below we’ve created a list of tips to keep in mind when coping with a loved one’s troubling behavior due to dementia.

Providing Dementia Care in Portland

When faced with the more difficult symptoms and behaviors associated with dementia, some tips to keep in mind include:

• Validate Your Loved One. Although your loved one’s delusions and paranoia may be unfounded, their feelings are real. When your loved one is anxious, confused, or afraid, validate their feelings rather than contradict them. Reassure them with words and touch, and try to gently redirect their attention.
• Simplify Tasks. Make going to the bathroom and dressing easier by getting your loved one pants with elastic waistbands and clothes with Velcro closures. Minimize distractions such as the TV or radio when speaking with your loved one. Use simple language and ask yes or no questions. Break bigger tasks into smaller and more manageable sections.
• Modify the Environment. Your loved one may rely on being in a familiar environment to feel secure. You can, however, make small modifications to their environment to minimize confusion. Put signs with pictures on the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom doors. Prevent wandering by adding locks to doors and gates to stairs. Prevent confusion and falls at night by adding nightlights to the bedroom, hall, and bathroom.
• Maintain Independence. Encouraging your loved one to complete tasks on their own where they can, and asking them to help you with day-to-day tasks around the house will help give them purpose and fill their day. This can help prevent wandering and agitation.
• Ask for Help. Sometimes, it’s just not possible to provide the care your loved one needs all on your own. Reach out to friends, neighbors, and professional dementia care services in the Portland, OR area when you need a helping hand.

To learn more about giving your loved one high-quality care, call Visiting Angels Portland today. We offer supportive dementia care services to seniors in Portland, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Beaverton, Tigard, and the surrounding areas.